EMRFD Message Archive 1657
Message Date From Subject 1657 2008-05-23 12:21:36 rcbuckiii Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
May/June QEX issue.
He mentions that he uses TurboCad for the front panel markings. I need
to create a new dB scale faceplate for the analog meter I am using. I
want to scan in the faceplate that is presently on the meter and then
change the markings to match the power meter readings.
Can someone recommend a program to do this? Will TurboCad allow you to
scan in and modify the image? I am particularly concerned about the
numbers that must be printed on an angle to follow the meter scale. I
sent an email to the TurboCad sales department last week but haven't
heard from them. That makes me think they have very poor customer
support.
I can work with either a Windows or a Linux program.
Thanks.
AB7HE1659 2008-05-23 14:54:02 Bob Macklin Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
Do you have a graphics editor. You might be able to use Paint(it comes with Windows) to do it. But I have not used Pain in many years.
Bob Macklin
Seattle, Wa.
rcbuckiii <rcbuckiii@yahoo.com> wrote:
I am building the Power Meter described by Bob Kopski, K3NHI in the
May/June QEX issue.
He mentions that he uses TurboCad for the front panel markings. I need
to create a new dB scale faceplate for the analog meter I am using. I
want to scan in the faceplate that is presently on the meter and then
change the markings to match the power meter readings.
Can someone recommend a program to do this? Will TurboCad allow you to
scan in and modify the image? I am particularly concerned about the
numbers that must be printed on an angle to follow the meter scale. I
sent an email to the TurboCad sales department last week but haven't
heard from them. That makes me think they have very poor customer
support.
I can work with either a Windows or a Linux program.
Thanks.
AB7HE
------------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]1661 2008-05-23 17:46:51 rcbuckiii Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
but Paint only allows you to rotate text in 90 degree increments.
That may have to do.
I wouldn't mind purchasing a good graphics program if it could handle
the meter faceplate. I am sure I would find other uses for it.
I already have $800 tied up in my schematic/board program and a good
graphics program would just be another tool in the toolbox.
Ray
AB7HE
1662 2008-05-23 18:43:09 Sam M Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
>perhaps this:
>
> I scanned it and saved it as a GIF. I was able to open it in Paint
> but Paint only allows you to rotate text in 90 degree increments.
> That may have to do.
>
> I wouldn't mind purchasing a good graphics program if it could handle
> the meter faceplate. I am sure I would find other uses for it.
>
> I already have $800 tied up in my schematic/board program and a good
> graphics program would just be another tool in the toolbox.
>
http://tonnesoftware.com/meter.html
--
GB & 73
KA5OAI
Sam Morgan
http://linuxbasics.org
Linux, the lifetime learning experience.1663 2008-05-23 18:46:56 Garey Barrell Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
You might want to investigate a program called "galva_185-3L" which is
designed to generate all manner of panel and meter faces.
It can be found at <http://hamradio.online.ru/ftp3/>
Yes, it also has English translation!!
Sample sheet attached.
73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA
Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line & TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
rcbuckiii wrote:
> I scanned it and saved it as a GIF. I was able to open it in Paint[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> but Paint only allows you to rotate text in 90 degree increments.
> That may have to do.
>
> I wouldn't mind purchasing a good graphics program if it could handle
> the meter faceplate. I am sure I would find other uses for it.
>
> I already have $800 tied up in my schematic/board program and a good
> graphics program would just be another tool in the toolbox.
>
> Ray
> AB7HE
>
> -
>
1666 2008-05-24 07:47:12 bkopski Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
To help clarify, I use Turbo Cad for many purposes including
schematics, hole board layouts, model airplane designs, complete
instrument panels, - and meter faces! My TC is a VERY old one -
version 4 - which has been well-superceded over the years. In any
case, any later release - and no doubt many other CAD products -
should do just as well in these applications.
Back to the meter face. I did not use any "cut and paste" technique.
Rather, I drew a new face from scratch in TC. I did this by
physically removing the original meter face plate and carefully
measured it including the arc and center of the original number
array. Then it was easy to simply redraw a new face, print it, and
paste it1670 2008-05-24 11:38:08 Steve Jackman Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
http://www.gimp.org/
and download the free graphics editor for your platform of choice:
Linux, Macintosh, or Windows. It's a very powerful program with all
the features you could want. A bit of a learning curve to learn it
all, but if your task is specific it shouldn't take long to figure out
just what you need.
73,
Steve WA0PWK
1671 2008-05-24 12:21:03 Bob Macklin Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
There is a steep learning curve for CAD programs. It takes lots of time to even get used to them
I have a couple of older Graphics programs that are much easier to use for thing like meter scales.
Some of the PHOTO applications will allow you to do graphis work.
Bob Macklin
Seattle, Wa.
bkopski <kopskirl@cavtel.net> wrote:
Hi All -
To help clarify, I use Turbo Cad for many purposes including
schematics, hole board layouts, model airplane designs, complete
instrument panels, - and meter faces! My TC is a VERY old one -
version 4 - which has been well-superceded over the years. In any
case, any later release - and no doubt many other CAD products -
should do just as well in these applications.
Back to the meter face. I did not use any "cut and paste" technique.
Rather, I drew a new face from scratch in TC. I did this by
physically removing the original meter face plate and carefully
measured it including the arc and center of the original number
array. Then it was easy to simply redraw a new face, print it, and
paste it1673 2008-05-24 21:08:14 rcbuckiii Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
tonnesoftware program. I think I vaguely recall playing with it a
couple of years ago. If it doesn't do the trick I will use GIMP. It
is already installed on my Linux box anyway.
Bob, TurboCAD would be nice to use if it has scan capabilities built
in. And it has a lot of other nice features at a reasonable price.
However, I never got a response from their customer service
department about the scan feature. Next time I am at the local big
box computer store I will look on the package and see if it is
mentioned.
I have an older version of Microstation (CAD program) that would be
perfect for this. Unfortunately it won't run on XP.
1674 2008-05-24 21:08:21 wimmie262000 Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications 1676 2008-05-25 05:47:29 bkopski Re: Analog Meter Faceplate Modifications
I've just checked back and find that I still have the meter faceplate
drawing file that I can print. If anyone is using the same panel
meter movement as in the original article, I'd be happy to print and
send a copy of my replacement faceplate. And while I've not tried
this, I'm guessing it might be possible for me to resize (scale) the
drawing for other meters if somehow the size ratio could be
expressed. I imagine one simple approach might be to measure the new
meter pointer length from the pivot point to the pointer tip. Of
course, meter arc lengths may vary, but I'm willing to give it a shot
if anyone is interested. Just PM me (rather than burdoning this
Group) and we'll take it from there.
Cordially,
Bob K3NHI